Acquaintance charged in home invasion robbery

Written by

An acquaintance of a Florence couple who were robbed in their home in August has been charged with conspiring with the robbers.

Thomas Powell III, 42, of Erlanger is charged with first degree robbery and two counts of kidnapping, said Tom Scheben, Boone County Sheriff’s spokesman.

The home invasion robbery occurred Aug. 5 in the Summits of Oakbrook, when two men came to William and Wanda Baise’s home in the 7000 block of Centercrest Lane.

The couple answered their door when they saw Powell outside. When the door opened, two men pushed Powell aside and entered the condo. The intruders knew the location of the money before entering, Scheben said.

Investigators say Powell led the other two man to the condo knowing the victims would open the door for him.

After the robbers got the cash they taped up 66-year-old William Baise, and 62-year-old Wanda Baise and left. The couple were not injured.

Powell was being held in the Boone County jail Tuesday night.

Deputies have not yet identified the two men. Anyone with information is asked to call either the Boone County Sheriff’s Office at 859-334-2175 or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.